Release Detail

February 6, 2007 - Florida Voters Give New Governor High Grades,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
They Back His Moves On Insurance, Property Taxes

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has a lofty 69 - 6 percent job approval rating based on his first month
in office and very strong support from voters for his efforts to reduce insurance rates and property
taxes, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Democrats approve of the new
Republican governor 65 - 7 percent.

Voters say 67 - 6 percent that Gov. Crist has kept his campaign promises so far and
believe 60 - 23 percent that Gov. Crist will reduce property taxes. Voters also say 59 - 32
percent that people with homes of equal value should pay the same amount of property tax, no
matter how long they have owned the home, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack)
University poll finds.

"It is very unusual to find a governor in a competitive state like Florida with an approval
rating as high as Gov. Crist, even as he deals with tough issues such as insurance and property
taxes," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "He has made a
very impressive start in the eyes of Floridians."

Voters support 62 - 14 percent recent legislation to address Florida's property insurance
problems, and 61 percent say it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" the new law would mean a
"significant reduction" in insurance rates.

This insurance reform, meaning state government will take on added financial
responsibility in case of a major storm is a "good deal for the people," voters say 59 - 32 percent.

"Voters apparently like Gov. Crist's populist style when it comes to dealing with insurance
companies," said Brown. "Most interesting is that his approach appeals equally to Democrats,
Republicans and independents."

When it comes to property taxes, 77 percent of voters support Crist's call for doubling
from $25,000 to $50,000 the amount of a principal residence's value that would be exempt from
taxation.

The survey began before Crist announced other details of his property insurance plan.

Only 34 percent believe that homeowners, landlords and business property should pay the
same tax on similarly valued property rate, while 57 percent do not. Among those who do not, 80
percent think businesses should pay more.

On a related matter, 52 percent say, as Crist has alleged, the major reason for skyrocketing
property taxes is poor government management. But although Crist claims local government is
the culprit, 43 percent of those who blame government point the finger at state government, while
26 percent say local government and 16 percent cite the federal government.

Florida voters are not enthusiastic about moving the date of the presidential primary to
increase state voters' clout in picking the nominees: 46 percent approve of such a change, which
the legislature is expected to consider, while 36 oppose it, with 19 percent undecided.

From January 29 - February 4, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,003 Florida voters, with
a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.
For more data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and click on Institutes and Centers, or call (203) 582-5201.

30. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charlie Crist is handling his job
as Governor?

44. Currently, longtime homeowners pay lower property taxes than neighbors with
homes of equal value who bought more recently. Should the length of time that a
person has lived in their house affect the amount of property taxes that a person
pays or should taxes be based on property value alone?

47. Florida homeowners who qualify for the Homestead tax exemption currently pay
property taxes on $25,000 less than their home's assessed value. Governor Christ
wants to double the exemption to $50,000 less than a home's assessed property
value. Do you support or oppose that proposal?

48. Which comes closer to your point of view:
A. Rising property taxes are the result of Florida's increasing population
and the need for more government services. OR
B. Rising property taxes are the result of the government's inability to
properly manage the tax money it collects.

50. As you may know, the legislature recently passed, and Governor Crist has
signed, legislation to deal with the state's property insurance problems. In
general do you approve, or disapprove of the changes that were made?

52. As part of the new property insurance bill, insurance companies will be
required to cut their rates and the state will take on greater financial
responsibility in the event of major storm damage. Do you think this is a good
deal for the people of Florida or not?

54. Florida lawmakers are talking about changing the date of the state's
presidential primary in order to increase the state's influence in picking the
Democratic and Republican presidential candidates. Do you support or oppose
this idea?